Zipper Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/19/23
Tested by Joan Velush
Zipper cocktail garnished with mint and blackberries

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
345 Calories
2g Fat
60g Carbs
4g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 345
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 2%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 8mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 60g 22%
Dietary Fiber 17g 60%
Total Sugars 39g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 125mg 624%
Calcium 81mg 6%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 577mg 12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The zipper is a fun and refreshing cocktail that is incredibly easy to mix up. It is, quite simply, a sparkling drink of vodka and Chambord and it's a true delight for any occasion. As a bonus, you may even have all three ingredients needed right there in your bar. 

The recipe may simple, yet the taste is amazing. The sweet raspberry liqueur backed up by a punch of vodka is the perfect background for a little sparkle. It's one that you'll fall for on the first sip and it may even become a new favorite for happy hour.

Not only is the zipper delicious when poured according to the recipe, but it is a great foundation for a few enhancements. You can also turn it into a tall drink for an even more refreshing beverage.

“The Zipper Cocktail is a vodka cocktail with the bright and sweet addition of black raspberry Chambord. The cocktail is topped with a nice splash of lemon-lime soda for a refreshing finish” —Joan Velush

The Zipper Cocktail
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make a zipper cocktail

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. Build the ingredients in a chilled old-fashioned glass with ice.

    An old fashioned glass with ice, vodka, blackberry liqueur, and lemon-lime soda

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Garnish with berries and mint. Serve and enjoy.

    A zipper cocktail garnished with blackberries and mint

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Tip

It's easy to make this drink taller or by the pitcher: Just add more soda to taste. For a large batch, keep the vodka and Chambord at equal pours, then add about four or five times that amount of soda. Add ice to individual glasses, and pour the mix over the top.

Recipe Variations

How Strong Is the Zipper?

The zipper is a relatively gentle drink and its strength can be adjusted by the amount of soda you pour. When made with 80-proof vodka and 1 ounce of soda, the alcohol content is around 16 percent ABV (32 proof). If you pour 5 ounces of soda to fill a tall glass, you'll knock it down to a mild 7 percent ABV (14 proof).

Why Is Chambord So Expensive?

Chambord takes time and effort to make, which accounts for its cost. It is rich, lush, and sweet, made with raspberries and blackberries in cognac and French spirits base—and imported from France. The process of making Chambord isn't easy; it is a finely crafted blend of infused spirits and cognac. Although it's not the least expensive liqueur, it is delicious. You can use crème de cassis instead, but it's not quite the same. However, if you splurge on a bottle and stock your bar with Chambord, it won't go to waste. You'll likely use it again and again, and it will keep for a while as long as it's stored in a cool, dark place.